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Topic: Few There Be That Find It (Read 939 times)

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matt. 7:13-14

I take it as advice and a warning, but I think it should remain within its context. We should not use this verse when we talk about hope, when it actually refers to a description of our path and the (many) dangers and temptations coming from the world. At least, that's how I understand the verse.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matt. 7:13-14

What does this mean?

IF you're interested, I'll give you some info from Fr. Lawrence Farley's Commentary: "The Gospel of Matthew: Torah for the Church" tomorrow after church.

« Last Edit: December 30, 2012, 01:43:45 AM by GabrieltheCelt »

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"The Scots-Irish; Brewed in Scotland, bottled in Ireland, uncorked in America." ~Scots-Irish saying

I agree with yeshuaisiam and IoanC. The path to destruction involves all of the passions that prevent theosis (heedlessness, selfishness, pride, sloth, greed, etc). It is much easier to follow our own whims, inclinations, and passions to our own destruction than it is to follow Christ's instructions to deny ourselves, die to ourselves daily, and return to our pre-Fall condition. "The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak." --St. Matthew 26:41.

Personally, I think Christ was stressing the urgency with which we must pursue righteousness, and the dangers of becoming increasingly mired in our passions, selfishness, and "darkness" so much so that salvation becomes (eventually) impossible.

Yet, doesn't Orthodoxy teach that following death, we can continue to grow towards God, as we are taught that our prayers for the dead are heard, and that God is ultimately merciful? So maybe that is reason enough to hope that all will be saved eventually. Only God knows, though.

« Last Edit: December 30, 2012, 10:37:48 AM by stavros_388 »

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"The kingdom of heaven is virtuous life, just as the torment of hell is passionate habits." - St. Gregory of Sinai

"Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than about Him." - Thomas Merton

The mystery of this passage intrigues me too, that and passages like Romans 11:32. But the result of this passage leads to one of two options: more diligence or giving up. I think the intention was for the former.

Whether or not this means all will be saved or not at this moment should not matter. Perhaps God will judge us by our capabilities and diligence. But the hope He provides is powerful, and the love He has is strong, and the mercy He offers is true. So, I would be diligent for that.

« Last Edit: December 30, 2012, 06:53:20 PM by minasoliman »

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Vain existence can never exist, for "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127)

If the faith is unchanged and rock solid, then the gates of Hades never prevailed in the end.

And yes, I would be interested Gabriel, but only if it's not too much trouble.

No trouble, though I apologize for the tardy reply.

Matthew 7: 13-14 "Christ then urges His followers to enter though the narrow gate, even though it is narrow and constricted and thus difficult to squeeze through. Through it alone is the way leading to life. They must avoid the temptations to enter through the wide gate, even though the way through it is spacious, for it is the way leading to destruction.--- "Christ answers by telling all who would saved to enter through the narrow gate of discipleship to Him. Opposition from the Pharisees may make it narrow and constricted and so fraught with difficulties that few are those finding it, but it leads to life. Those who reject Him, choosing popularity over truth and wealth over poverty, may find it easier in this age. Indeed, that way is spacious and is easy to travel, and the gate is wide and easy to enter, and for this reason many are those entering through it. Yet, for all that, it leads to distraction.

Matthew includes this question and response here because it forms a fitting introduction to Jesus' warning against the false prophets, the Pharisaical teachers, which follow it. Let those who would be saved enter by the narrow gate, and pay no attention to the words of the Pharisees! They lead men astray, as did the false prophets of old. (From comparing the parallel in Luke 6:39-44, which is concerned with the Pharisees, the "hypocrite" of Luke 6:42, we see that the Pharisees are the subject of this passage in Matt 7:15-20 also, and that the "false prophets" of 7:15 refers to them.) The Pharisees' teaching might sound pious enough, but it leads to spiritual death in the end. Inwardly, their teaching makes them as dangerous as ravenous wolves, even though they come to you in sheep's clothing, using their piety to mask their true nature."

Taken from Fr. Lawrence Farley's Commentary: "The Gospel of Matthew: Torah for the Church" Pages 105 and 106.

There are many ideas and religions competing for our attention. Some of them are more attractive and compelling than others. Many of them will indeed contain bits and pieces of the truth, making them seem less dangerous than they are. It seems to me that when we read something from another faith tradition that seems to square up with our own, it tends to make us let our defenses down a bit and make us more susceptible and accepting (I am reminded of some of our topics here that deal with "mixing" or "integrating" other teachings with Orthodoxy.) It's easy to get caught up in something else, especially if we have dear friends who belong to other traditions and/or another tradition catches our fancy. But to turn our backs on ALL else is indeed narrow (how often are we Christians accused of being "narrow minded"?. In light of this passage, maybe that's not such a bad thing.) To become a disciple of Christ, He says, will cost us everything.

« Last Edit: January 02, 2013, 12:56:03 AM by GabrieltheCelt »

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"The Scots-Irish; Brewed in Scotland, bottled in Ireland, uncorked in America." ~Scots-Irish saying